How do you get your toddler to take medicine when they refuse

Lucinda - posted on 04/04/2010
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hi everyone I have a 21/2 year old little girl. Im' currently in the hospitl and my hubby is takign care of her. she has a sinus infection and is supposed to be taking amoxicillan 2x a day but she is refusing my hubby says he pretty much tackles her down but she locks her mouth shut so its impossilbe. I'm worried becaue I think she is getting worse, in the past she used to take medicine but now its a problme so this is new to us. sigh.. any suggestions..?? please help. thx.

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it's best if you have 2 people to do it. with my son, one of us will hold him down and the other will plug his nose so that he has to open his mouth and then put the medecine in and wait until he swallows. it's a horrible ordeal and i feel bad but he needs his medecine.

Bribes work in our house. Our girlie isn't sick very often but she does love a little chocolate. So I have a few kisses open and ready. Watching a special movie or extra reading sometimes works too. If all that fails, hold her tight with "hugs" and still give her the treats. Good luck!

Did you get it flavored? My son won't take antibiotics unless I get it flavored. I know Walgreens flavors medicine for kids. The one time I didn't I had the same problem and had to tackle my son and hold him down every time I had to give it to him and force his mouth open to take it

ok this is going to sound harsh, but in the end her health is most important. If mine refuses after several tries, i sit her facing away from me, in ...for lack of a better term, my crotch. I wrap my legs around hers, my arms aver hers and lean her head back. When they clench the jaw, sliding the med dropper in there between the cheek and teeth. This is always the last resort for me however is might useful. They'll only be upset for like ten minutes afterwards :) Good luck!

I don't know if you can, so ask the doc first, but maybe try mixing it with something? Explain to her that it will help her feel better and give her something that she likes after she takes the medicine. If you're using a teaspoon try the airplane. These are just ideas I've heard. Another thought...if your husband can figure out why she won't take the medicine, he may be able to figure out how to get her to take it. Hope this helps.